8 Best Survival Lighter Reviews for Utter Reliability in an Emergency

By Diana Heath

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If you are an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping, hiking through the wilderness, or going on off-road adventures, you need to have a reliable survival lighter in your backpack, camping gear, or survival kit.

Our Top Pick for the Best Survival Lighter

Our top pick for the best survival lighter is the Zippo Matte Lighter. Zippo is an iconic U.S.A. made brand, and it is the lighter you need if you are stuck in the middle of the barren wilderness or broken down on an off-road track. It has everything you need to light a fire for survival: an all-metal case; a windproof design that works virtually anywhere; and it can be refillable for a lifetime of use with Zippo's premium lighter fluid. With so many bright colors to choose from, you will have no trouble finding your trusty Zippo lighter in your backpack or camping gear.

Planning an Outdoor Adventure? Pack a Survival Lighter!

Emergency situations can arise at any time when you are exploring the great outdoors, but with a reliable survival lighter in the palm of your hand, you will be prepared for anything.

The first rule of survival when you are stuck out in the middle of the wild, untamed spaces of the wilderness or broken down somewhere off the beaten track, is to light a fire. A blazing fire will keep you warm, cook your food, boil water that is safe to drink, provide light in the darkness and keep you safe from predators. One of the quickest ways to get a fire burning is with a survival lighter.

How To Choose a Survival Lighter

For outdoor survival, you need a lighter that has been specially designed for harsh outdoor environments, and definitely not a disposable BIC lighter that is made out of cheap plastic. So as you search for a lighter for your survival kit, here are a few features to consider.

Fuel-based or USB-chargeable Survival Lighters

Butane fuel can power survival lighters or they can be fueled electronically via a lithium-ion battery.

If you want a fuel-based lighter that uses a butane lighter fuel, which are the most common types of lighters, you have to consider whether the lighter comes pre-filled with butane fluid or whether you have to buy the lighter fluid separately. Some manufacturers like Zippo supply their own particular lighter fluid on their website.

Refillable

One of the most important features to consider in regards to a fuel-based survival lighter is to make sure that the lighter is refillable, which is more economical than continually having to buy another lighter when the lighter fluid runs out.

USB-rechargeable

For those lovers of techy gadgets, why not consider a USB-rechargeable survival lighter?

USB rechargeable survival lighters provide a safe, fuel-free and environmentally friendly solution to fuel-based lighters. They use either a single or dual-arc ignition plasma beam technology that creates a powerful spark that looks like a mini laser, which can ignite almost anything.

USB survival lighters are powered by a lithium-ion battery and can be charged via a USB cable. The downside of this type of survival lighter is that it may not be the most convenient option in the middle of nowhere unless it is fully charged up or you have portable solarpanels that have USB outlets or access to a vehicle.

Battery power will usually give you up to 300 uses or 3 hours of continuous use before you have to recharge the battery, which can take from 2 to 3 hours to fully recharge. For super quick recharging,the Saberlight Survival Lighter battery can be charged in just one hour!

Sturdy and Durable Construction

For harsh outdoor environments and crazy weather conditions, a survival lighter needs to have a sturdy and durable case that protects the fuel, wick, flint or sensitive dual-arc components from getting damaged. Tough plastic is an excellent choice especially if you want a more lightweight survival lighter and long-lasting scratch-resistant metal, stainless steel or zinc alloy is extra strong and resilient.

Windproof

Trying to light a survival lighter in high winds can be impossible, but a lighter that has a windproof design will eliminate this problem and have a fire burning quickly.

Water-resistant

A soaking wet lighter is no good to anyone but if it is water-resistant or even better fully waterproof, it will continue to supply you with a flame or a super-powered spark in the snow or rain or if you have dropped it in a puddle.

Extra Features

Replaceable wicks or flints are extra useful if you have to use the lighter a lot so here is a YouTube video that shows you how to replace a flint.

Adjustable flame height is another great feature for when you need that larger flame to light up a fire quickly or to ward off a predator from your camp-site. For extra portability, a survival lighter that comes with a key-chain and clip will keep the lighter safe and securely attached to your belt or backpack.

Best Survival Lighter Reviews

1. Zippo Matte Lighter

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you need to have a Zippo survival lighter in your backpack or camping gear. The super small but highly reliable and resilient Zippo lighter will light up a fire quickly, and you will be able to maintain a firm grip on it as the lighter has a case that has rounded corners and a flat bottom that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

Built for a lifetime of use, the Zippo's case has a tough, durable metal construction with a powder coating that is applied electrostatically to the brass case. The lasered five-barrel hinge opens and shuts the lid securely with that distinctive “Zippo” click so you can be confident that the fuel, wick, and flint is protected. If you need a larger flame, no problems, the flame is adjustable and the case is water-resistant.

The stylish lighter has a special windproof design that allows it to work virtually anywhere even in the most challenging outdoor conditions and the fuel tank is refillable with Zippo's premium lighter fluid (sold separately), which delivers the best lighting performance, or you can refill it with your own choice of lighter fluid. The lighter fluid is long-lasting, but it can evaporate quickly when the lighter is not in use.

There are 11 different matte colors to choose from to suit your personality and lifestyle.

Their famous lifetime guarantee covers the Zippo lighter and the Zippo website features thousands of colors and designs – to customize a lighter to your own design.

2. Everstryk Matchpro Lighter

With a new design and a replaceable flint and wick, the highly portable butane Everstryk Matchpro lighter is an excellent choice for emergency and survival situations, and it is very affordable.

The Everstryk is made out of strong and durable stainless steel with an attractive mirror finish, and the screw-on cap and the built-in O-ring fits tightly to protect the lighter from water damage and stops the fuel from evaporating. It may be tiny, but its flame strikes hot over 600° Fahrenheit. A long-lasting lighter, the Everystryk has a wick that lasts 10x longer than other lighters and is capable of 15,000 burning strikes. The fuel does not run out quickly, and it is water-resistant.

You can keep the lightweight survival lighter either in your pocket or use the sturdy clip-on key-chain to clip it onto your belt or even attach it to your backpack's zipper for quick and easy access.

The lighter has a very easy to use flint and wick ignition system which will continuously burn after you strike it and the wick and flint are replaceable, and you light it up with just one hand.

One of the drawbacks of this particular lighter is that it’s not very windproof so you may have trouble using it during high winds.

For an extremely affordable price, you can have two survival lighters for EDC and for exploring the great outdoors so you will always have heat, light, and protection for survival or emergency situations.

The DreamBay Peanut Lighter 2-pack features an all-inclusive fire starting kit inside a sturdy and strong mirror-finish stainless steel case which is very compact and fits conveniently in your pocket while the clip on the securely closing lid, allows you to attach it to your belt or backpack.

The super small lighter features a new design and a replaceable flint and wick that last 10x longer, and the lighter can be struck 15,000 times while the improved waterproof built-in O-ring keeps the fuel from evaporating.

This lighter pack is great value for money as it contains two lighters, 6 lighter flints, 1 windproof wick, and 2 waterproof O-rings.

4. Vertigo Cyclone Torch Lighter (charcoal)

If it is blowing a gale at your campsite or up on the mountain trail, the Vertigo Cyclone Torch lighter from Lotus is a highly versatile survival lighter that can be relied upon to provide a triple flame that will get a fire started quickly. The lighter is a made from a lightweight but durable plastic, and its transparent fuel tank lets you see how much fuel is left. The tank is refillable, but you will have to supply your own triple-refined butane fuel.

A power-packed work-horse, the Vertigo Cyclone lighter has a quick response single-action Piezo ignition system which provides a powerful triple torch flame even in high winds at just a flick of a button and the securely locking lid keeps the lighter safe from water damage and stops the fuel from evaporating. You can adjust the size of the flame with the screw in the bottom of the case, and it can light up at elevations of up to 18.000 feet.

The Vertigo lighter has a lifetime warranty when you register the lighter at the Lotus website.

It’s also very lightweight making it easy to stash in your pocket or backpack, and you can choose from clear plastic or charcoal.

5. Tesla Coil Lighters™ USB Rechargeable Windproof Arc Lighter

If you are a tech enthusiast, then the Tesla Coil USB Rechargeable Arc Lighter is a great choice for you, and it is perfect for emergency situations or for EDC around the home. For a modern-day solution to traditional lighters, the Tesla Coil Lighter uses innovative technology that creates an electric arc that produces a powerful spark with one press of a button. No more messing around with dangerous fuel that can leak out from the lighter, as the eco-friendly lighter requires no flame and no butane lighter fluid.

A smart energy efficient lighter, the Tesla operates on a single charge that can last up to a full week, or between 100 and 300 uses.

The lighter's sleek and elegant metal design feels comfortable in your hand, and it is very easy to light even in high winds, and the extra safety feature on the lighter will ensure that it will not light when the lid is closed.

The downside of this nifty little gadget is that is is not waterproof, you have to keep it away from the sun, and you will need access to a USB outlet or cigarette socket outlet to charge it. But for a safe and reliable lighter that is ready to go whenever you need it, the Tesla lighter is great value for money.

Tesla offers the lighter in six different colors, and only one lithium battery is required.

6. 4Boss LUXURY USB Rechargeable Electronic Survival Lighter

The 4BOSS Luxury electronic lighter uses a flameless two-arc ignition system that creates a spark that can ignite almost anything even in high wind conditions. The battery is rechargeable via USB, and it provides a strong spark for up to 300 charges.

It is one tough little gadget with a sturdy, durable high-grade scratch-resistant metal case and the lid seals securely over the ignition system and the button is placed on the side for quick and easy access.

Besides its reliability, durability and stylish design, the 4BOSS lighter has a bright blue LED indicator that lets you know when the battery has been fully charged, which takes up to 2 hours. It is lightweight at 2.6-ounces and compact and fits comfortably in your hand.

Unfortunately, it is not watertight only splash-proof, and you will need to make sure it is fully charged if you are not going to have access to a USB outlet.

The 4BOSS lighter comes in silver or metallic black and is covered by a 30-day money back guarantee, and 4BOSS will replace the battery when it stops working.

7.Saberlight 2 Pack – Rechargeable Flameless Plasma Beam Lighter

The Saberlight lighter boasts a superior design with its revolutionary “Star Wars” single-arc plasma wave beam technology that can generate a plasma wave that is hotter than fire and can set anything ablaze even in harsh outdoor conditions.

A butane-free and environmentally friendly, energy efficient fire-lighting device, the Saberlight operates on just one ultra-powerful lithium-ion cell which creates a superheated plasma wave and the battery is rechargeable in just one hour and gives you more than 3 hours of use or 300 uses per charge.

The Saberlight plasma lighter produces its laser spark at one click of a button, and it has a great safety feature – it will not light up while the lid is securely closed which keeps it safe when it gets stuck at the bottom of your bag.

An excellent choice for outdoor survival conditions and for traveling, the Saberlight lighter has a durable metal case that is windproof, and splash-proof and it is airport approved. The pattern on the case looks super stylish, and the slimline design feels comfortable in your hand.

The Saberlight 2-pack is great value for money, and each of the lighters and a USB charging cable come in their own attractive gift box so they will make a perfect gift for those outdoor adventurers in your life.

Saberlight offer a lifetime warranty on their smart futuristic lighter.

8. XBULL Arc Lighter Electronic Lighter

Using super-smart technology, the new generation XBULL Electronic plasma lighter has recently been redesigned with a more extensive dual-arc laser that produces double the lighting power so that you can expect a powerful and reliable lighting performance at just the press of a button.

The XBULL lighter has a fresh, attractive design and it is made out of high quality, durable zinc alloy which will not melt or fall apart like other cheaper brands and the luxurious matt finish does not leave fingermarks on the surface.

An excellent choice for challenging outdoor conditions, the XBULL survival lighter is windproof, and it is energy saving as a full charge can last up to a week or up to 300 sparks.

The lighter will not ignite while charging or when the sturdy flip-top lid is closed and the bright blue LED battery indicator on the front of the case lights up when the lithium-ion battery has been fully charged.

The slimline design feels comfortable in your hand, and it is not too heavy at 3-ounces.

The lighter comes in three terrific colors: ice black, jaguar black, and ocean blue and is packaged in an attractive gift box.

XBULL offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.

Our Top Pick for the Best Survival Lighter

Our top pick for the best survival lighter is the Zippo Matte Lighter. Zippo is an iconic U.S.A. made brand, and it is the lighter you need if you are stuck in the middle of the barren wilderness or broken down on an off-road track. It has everything you need to light a fire for survival: an all-metal case; a windproof design that works virtually anywhere; and it can be refillable for a lifetime of use with Zippo's premium lighter fluid. With so many bright colors to choose from, you will have no trouble finding your trusty Zippo lighter in your backpack or camping gear.